Coin-testing device for coin-controlled machines.



APPLICATION FILED 0053.7, 1912.

Patented July 14,1914.

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THE NORRIS PETERs CU..PHO10LVTHOHWASIIINQTON. n.

A. D. GROVER & E. E. BARBER.

COIN TESTING DEVICE FOR- COIN CONTROLLED MACHINES. I

APPLICATION FILED 00127, 1912.

1 1 O3, 1 97. Patented July 14, 1914. I F g 4 2 SHEET$SHEET Z. l

W TNEEEEE- INVENTURE- (Elbert fl Grover.

W Earl/Eifiarer Y. W. zyflflf N15 NORRIS PETERS CO. PHoTo-LITHQ, WASHINGrON, D c

UNITED snares PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT D. (i-ROVER, OF MALIJEN, AND EARL BARBER, OF BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS,

ASSIGNORS TO AUTOSALES GUM & CHOCOLATE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A

CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

COIN-TESTING- DEVICE FOR COIN-CONTROLLED MACHINES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ALBERT D. GROVER and EARL E. BARBER, citizens ofthe United States, and residents, respectively, of Malden, in the countyof Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, and Boston, county of Suffolk,State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Coin-Testing Devices for Coin-Controlled Machines, ofwhich the following is a specification.

Our new invention relates to coin-controlled machines generally and hasfor its object the provision of a coin-testing device for such machines,whereby the machine automatically rejects improper coins.

The characteristic feature of our invention is the testing of thedeposited 'coin as to genuineness by requiring the presence of a welldefined raised edge on the coin. Unless the deposited check has such anedge, no operation of the machine takes place. In the preferred form ofour invention, our new testing device causes automatic "lockingof themachine under those conditions. When a proper coin is deposited, thesame serves to form a rigid operative connection, through the medium ofits raised edge, between a hand-operated member on the outside of themachine and a suitable operating member inside. This operating membermay be a goods-ejecting member, or it may serve to control an electricswitch or any suitable mechanism.

Our new coin-testing device also serves to test the deposited check asto size. A disk of less than the prescribed diameter will affect thetesting device in the same manner as a smooth-edged check of propersize.

In its broad aspect, the coin-testing device of our invention includes amovable testing member adapted to operatively engage the raised edge ofthe deposited coin which is held in position on a hand-operated coincarrier. In this way the coin forms a rigid operative connection betweenthe testing member and the coin-carrier The testing member is connectedwith a suitable operating mechanism which may be arranged to performvarious functions, as above indi cated. For the sake of illustrating onepar- Specification of Letters Patent. P t t d J l 4., 1 14 Applicationfiled October 7, 1912. Serial N 0,724,256.

ticular use of our invention, we have in the drawings shown a goods-eector connected with the testing member.

1" In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodimentof our invention, Figure 1, isa plan view of our coin-testing device.Fig. 2, is a longitudinal section on line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3, is atransversesection on line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4, is a view similar toFig.2, but showing the parts in their final or operated position. Fig.5, is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing how the machine is lockedagainst operation through a deposited slug or other smooth disk; andFig. 6, is a fragmentary detailed view showing how the testing member ofour device locks the machine against operation when a smooth disk isdeposited.

The various parts of our coin-testing device are supported in a suitableframe work having sides 1 and 2, a back plate 3 and a front plate 41. Tothe sides 1 and 2 are secured horizontal angle irons 5 and 6,respectively, to form guide channels 7 and 8 for receiving the baseplate 9 of the coin-car rier 10. This coin-carrier is substantially likethe one set forth and claimed in our copending application, Serial No.711,797, filed July 27, 1912, except that for the sake of simplicity wehave omitted the weighttesting feature. We do not therefore claim inthis application the coin-carrier per 86. Furthermore, in the broadaspect of our invention, any suitable coin-carrier may be used, providedthat it properly supports the deposited coin. The coin-carrier 10 isprovided with an inclined surface 11, from which projects rearwardly thepin12. At itsrear end, the coin-carrier has a lug'or projection 13provided with a rearwardly inclined surface 14 which forms with theSuitable spring means is provided for normally holding the coin-carrierin the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In the drawings We have shown anexpansion-spring 19 bearing at one end against the front of the plungerrod on the inside thereof, and at the other end against the back plate 3of the frame work. The spring 19 is maintained in proper position by theguide rod 20 which projects forwardly from the back plate '3 and aboutwhich the rear portion of the spring 19 is coiled.

When the coin-carrier 10 is in normal or" unoperated position, thecoin-receiving groove 15 is substantially in alinement with to pass outof the coin-chute. The deposited. coin rests at its lower edge in thegroove 15, while the pin 12 is adapted to engage the coin substantiallyat the center, at the initial inward movement of the coin-carrier. Asthe pin 12 terminates substantially in alinement with the front innerwall of the coin-chute 21, and as the coin-chute is a little wider'thanthe thickness of the coin,

the pin 12 does not engage the coin when the carrier is in normalposition. The coin is prevented from falling out of its substantiallyvertical posit-ion, because the upper portion of the coin remains in thecoinchute, and the coin-testing member (to be presently referred to)prevents the coin from falling rearwardly. The coin is prevented fromrolling sideways off the coincarrier bymeans of the retaining strips 26which are secured to the coin-carrier -by screws 27 orotherwise.

To the sides 1 and 2 of the frame work, at a proper distance above theguide strips 5 and 6, are fixed the spaced guide strips 28 and 29 whichare provided with grooves or channels for the reception of the slide 30.The latter is at its front end provided with a pairof upstanding ears orlugs 31. 3 Between these ears the slide 30 is cut away to form anopening 32 of such size as to ac-- commodate the coin-chute 21 duringthe-operation of the slide. To the ears 31 is pivoted the coin-testingmember 33, which is substantially U-shaped inform. Pins or bolts 34 formthe pivotal connection between the ears 31 and themember 33. Fromthe'cross-piece of the testing member 33 extends the projection 35 whichis at the front-provided withthe coin-engaging point 36. Theunder-surface of the projection 35 is rounded or beveled at the point 36as plunger 17.

shown at 37. The projection 35 extends through the slot 38 in the slide30. Nor

ma'llythe coin-testing member 33 rests by gravity in the position shownin Fig. 2. It will be seen from this figure that when the'testing'member is in normal position, the engaging point% is slightly below'theraised edge 39 of the depositedcoin C on the coin-carrier 10; With theparts in this position, should the coin-carrier 10 be moved rearwardlyby means of the plunger rod 17, the coin G is, at once brought intolocking engagement with the point 36 on' the projection 35 of thecoin-testing member 33. The point 36 engages the raised edge 39 of thecoin'substantially at apoint in vertical aline'ment with the pointof-en-- deposited coin forms a rigid operative connection between thecoin-carrier and the testingv member 33. stated, the coin may be said toestablish an operative connection between the plunger rod 17 and theslide 30. With a proper coin deposited, the inward movement of theplunger rod 17 is accompanied by a corre sponding movementof the slide30. Any suitable stop means may be arranged for limiting the inwardmovement'of the slide or Contractile springs 30, are at their rear endssecured to pins 3O ex tending downwardly from the slide 30, and at theirfront ends to ears or lugs 30, provided on the frontwall 1 of thesupporting frame work,-whereby the slide and the connected parts areautomatically returned to normal posit-ion when the plunger 17 isreleased. Fig. 4, shows the parts in their final or operated position.By comparing Figs. 2 and 1 it will be seen that the coin C is slightlytilted forwardly when it forms the connectionbetween the slide 30 andthe coin-carrier 10. Also, as the coin engages the testing member 33, itslightly raises the same upwardly as shown in Fig. 4, until the gagementof the pin 12. In this way the Or, more broadly point 36 is firmlyhooked into engagement beat smooth-edged check, it will. be seen that asthe coin-carrier is moved rearwardly and the check is slightly tiltedtoward the front, the rounded surface 37 of the projection 35 will causethe testing member 33 to ride upwardly over the top of the check, intothe position shown in Fig. 5,

In this position of the parts, there is no operative or lookingengagement between the coin-testing member 33 and the coincarrier 10.The member 33 is held inraised or inoperative position by thesmoothedged check 0 The upward movement of the testing member 33 islimited by the pin 40, extending from the lateral projection 41 of thetesting member 33 and adapted to abut against the fixed stop 42, securedto the side 1. of the frame work. When the coin-testing member 33 is inraised position, the lateral projection 41 bears against the stop 42. Atthe same time the check C bears at its upper edge against the stop pins43 projecting downwardly from the slide 30 at either side of the slot38. In this way farther inward movement of the plunger rod 17 ispositively prevented. In other words, the machine becomes locked againstoperation. As soon as the plunger rod 17 is released, the check 0 istipped off the coin-carrier and drops into the refundingchute 44.

Not only does a smooth-edged check of proper diameter look the machineagainst operation, as above described, but precisely the same effect isproduced by a deposited coin with a raised edge but of less than theprescribed diameter. It will be clear from Fig. 2, that if the raisededge 39 were below the engaging point 36, the coin would ride under theprojection 35, in the same manner as described with reference to thesmooth-edged check C in Fig. 5.

Our new coin-testing device performs, therefore, the double function'oftesting the coin as to its genuineness by means of the raised edgethereon, and also, as to its diameter, irrespective of the raised edge.In addition to this, the coin-carrier 1O automatically tests thedeposited check as to material and form. For instance, a check offlexible or yieldable material would not withstand the pressure broughtto bear upon it by the pin 12 and the testingpoint 36,

but would be bent out of engagement with the projection 35 before theslide 30 was moved to any great extent. The pressure thus exerted uponthe coin or check is measured by the resisting. force of the springs 19and 30 and may be regulated by varying the resistance of these springs.If the deposited checkbe of brittlematerial, such as glass, the strainput upon it will cause it to break. Should the deposited check be awasher, the pin 12 on the coin-carrier will pass through the opening inthe washer and cause the latter to fall back on the inclined surface 11into an inoperative position.

Stop 42 is shown in the form of a rail and performs the additionalfunction of holding the coin-testing member down, after the initialinward movement of the parts, whereby complete operation of the machineis assured-providedbf course that a proper coin has been deposited. Asclearly seen from Figs. 1 and 3, thelateral projection 41 on thecoin-testing member 33 extends under the guide 42'after a slight inwardmovement of the slide 30. This locks the cointesting member againstaccidental upper movement out of engagement with the coin C, thusinsuring complete operationof the machine when a good coin is deposited.It should be observed in this connection that when a smooth-edged checkis deposited, the guide 42 does not interfere with the raising of thecoin-testing member 33 into inoperative position, because the testing ofthe coin takes place during the initial move-' ment of the coin-carrierand before the lateral projection comes below guide 42.

When the coin-carrier is returned to its normal position under theinfluence of the spring 19, the coin C is tipped off the coincarrier bythe latch arms 45, as will be clearly understood from Fig. 4. These armsare pivoted to a pair of ears 46 by means of the pin 47. The ears 46 arese cured to the rear wall 3 of the supporting frame work. A cross-piece48 connects the latch arms together at the rear, so that they move asone member. A spring 49, coiled about the rod 47, normally holds thearms in a substantially horizontal position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5.The outer ends of the latch arms 45 are beveled, so that the coin C willride under them, as the part-s move into final position. Upon return ofthe coin-carrier, the hooked ends of the latch arms 45 will engage thecoin and cause it to fall off the coin-carrier into a coin-receptacle 50below. Access to this receptacle is had through a door 51' which islocked by any suitable lock 59..

The slide 30 may have connected therewith any suitable device forperforming any desired function upon complete operation of the slide.For the sake of illustration, we have shown a suitable form ofgoodsejector 53 pivoted on top of the slide '30 by means of the rod 54which is supported in ears or lugs 55 projecting upwardly from theslide. In Figs. 1 and .2 we have indicated in dotted lines at 56, amagazine containing a vertical stack of packages 57. When the slide 30is moved rearwardly to .its full extent, the ejector 30 pushes thelowermost package 57 out of the magazine into a suitablyarrangeddelivery-chute, for removal by the purchaser. It will be obv1-ous that the goods-ejector 53 may be re-- placed by a device adapted tooperate an electricswitch, or to set into operation some automaticmachine, orperform various other functions.

It should be observed that while the good coins with which the machinehas been op- ,erated, are discharged into a money receptamay bemechanically carried out in variousways.

what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

1. In a coin testing device, thecombination with a movable coin-carrieradapted to hold the deposited coin in rigid operative position,manuallyoperable means for actuating said coin-carrier of a movabletesting member normally disconnected from said coin-carrier andadapted'to operatively engage the raised edge of the deposited coin,whereby said coin-carrier and said testing member become rigidly lockedtogether for simultaneous movement, and

ber.

2. In a coin-testing device, the combination with a movableco1n-support1ng-mem= ber, manually operable means for actuating saidmember of a movable coin-testing mem- Jber normally disconnectedtherefrom and adapted to operatively engage the raised edge of thevsupported coin, whereby said members become rigidly locked together forsimultaneous movement.

3. In a coin-testing dev ce, a movable support, a coin-testing memberpivotedthereto,

, hand-operated mechanism'for carrying the deposited coin intoengagement with said membenand means provided on said member foroperatively engaging the raised edge ofthe coinv'to lock said supportand said mechanism rigidly together for simultaneous operation,,saidcoin-testingmember being automatically rocked into inoperative positionvby a substantially smooth-edged check. u

45. In a coin-testing device, the combination of a movable support, acoin-testing member pivotally mounted thereon and adapted tooperatively" engage the raised edge, of the deposited coin, said"memberbe' ing automatically rocked and held in a locking position by asubstantially smootheedged check, hand operated mechanlsm for carrying'the deposited coin into engagement with s'ald coin-testing member tocause s1mul-' taneous operation of said supportwith said mechanism, afixed stop arranged in the travel path of said member when in lockingposition, and stop means on said support for Having thus described ourinvention,

operating mechanism connected with said testing memengaging thesmooth-edged check after said member has been rocked thereby intolocking position, whereby said smooth edged checklocks said mechanismand against operation.

5. In a coin-testlng device, the combinasaid support tion with acoin-carrier adapted to support a coin in rigid'and substantiallyupright position, manually operablemeans for actuating said coin-carrierof a movable coin-testing member adapted to engage the raised edge ofthe coin on the carrier and thereby :becomeoperatively connected withsaid car rier, said member being automatically moved into inoperativepositionbya smooth-edged check.

6. In a coin-testing device, a slidable coincarrier adapted to support acoin in rigid and substantially upright position, a slidable supportnormally disconnected from said coin-carrier, and a coin-testing memberpivotallymounted on said support and adapted to engage the raised edgeof the coin on the carrier, whereby said support and said carrier areconnected together for simultaneous operation, said testing member beingautomatically moved intoinoperative position by a smooth-edged check;

7. In a coin-testing device, a slidable coincarrier adapted to support acoin in rigid and substantially upright position, a slidable supportnormally disconected from said coin-carrier, a coin-testing memberpivotally mounted on said support and adapted to engage the raised edgeof the coin on the carrier, whereby said support and said carrier areconnected together for simultaneous operation, said testing member beingautomatically moved into inoperative position by a smooth-edged check, afixed stop, a projectionon said testing member arranged to abut agamstsaid stop when said member is in said inoperative position, and stopmeans on said support to engage the coin or check when said support islocked'against movement by sa d testlng member, whereby saidCO1Il-C2LI116I';1S locked against operatlon.

8. In a coin-testing device, a hand-operated slidable coin-carrier, aslidable member normally disconnected from said coin-car rier, and meanson said'member for engaging the raised edge of a coin on said carrier.to lock saidpcarriergand said member toge'ther for simultaneousoperation.

9. In a com-testing dev1ce,afcomb1nation with a slidablecoin-carrier, ofa slidably and pivotally supported testing member 'nor-' mallydisconnected from said coin-carrier and adapted toe ngage'the raisededge ofa coin on said carrier, whereby-said testing membernbecomesoperatively connected with said coin-carrier." 7

10. a coin-testing device, thecombination with a freely eslidablecoin-carrier, of

mechanism for automatically locking said carrier against operationthrough the medium of substantially smooth-edged check or coin of lessthan proper diameter.

11. In a coin-testing device, a slidable supporting member, means onsaid member for operatively engaging the raised edge of a coin,hand-operated mechanism for carrying the coin into engagement with saidmeans to cause operation of said member simultaneously with saidmechanism which is normally disconnected from said member, and means forautomatically locking said member and said mechanism against operationthrough the medium of a smooth-edged check.

12. In a coin-testing device, a substantially U-shaped testing memberprovided with a tip for engaging the raised edge of a coin, a slidablesupport on which said member is pivotally mounted, said member having abeveled under-surface at the tip'to cause a smooth-edged check or a coinof less than the proper diameterto ride under said member, andhand-operated means for carrying the deposited coin into engagement withsaid member to operate said support.

13. In a coin-testing device, a substantially U-shaped member providedwith a tip for engaging the raised edge of a coin, a slidable support onwhich said member is pivotally mounted, said member having a beveledunder-surface at the tipto cause a smooth-edged check or a coin of lessthan proper diameter to raise said member and ride under the same, meanswhereby said member when raised automatically lock said support againstmovement, and stop means on said support to engage the check or coin onsaid hand-operated means when the support is locked by said member,whereby said hand-operated means becomes locked against movement.

-14. In a coin-testing device, a freely slidable member, a hand-operatedmember normally disconnected from said first member and normally free tobe operated, and means whereby said members become connected togetherfor simultaneous operation only through the medium of a proper coin witha well defined edge, said means automatically causing said members tobecome locked against operation through the medium of a smooth-edgedcheck or a coin of less than the proper diameter.

15. In a coin-testing device, movable mechanism for holding a coin inrigid and substantially upright position, and indemecha'nisms becomeoperatively connected together for simultaneous movement, and

actuating means connected with one of said mechanisms. 7

16. In a coin-testing device, the combination with a movablecoin-supporting member, of a movable coin-testing member normallydisconnected therefrom and adapted to operatively engage the raised edgeof the supported coin, whereby said members become locked together forsimultaneous operation, actuating means connected with one of saidmembers, and an independent device for discharging the coin from saidcoin-supporting member.

17. In a coin-testing device, the combination of a pair of independentand normally disconnected members mounted to move in substantiallyparallel paths, cooperating means on said members whereby only a propercoin with a raised edge is rigidly held between'said members andoperatively connects the same for simultaneous movement, and actuatingmeans connected with one of said members.

18. In a coirrtesting device, the com bination of a pair of independentand normally disconnected members mounted to move in substantiallyparallel paths, cooperating means on said members whereby only a propercoin with a raised edge is rigidly held between said members andoperatively connects the same for simultaneous movement, actuating meansconnected with one of said members, and an independent device forpositively ejecting the coin from between said members.

19. In a coin-testing device, the combination with a slidablecoin-carrier, of a slidably and pivotally supported testing membernormally disconnected from said coincarrier and adapted to engage theraised edge of a coin on said carrier, whereby said testing memberbecomes operatively connected with said coin-carrier, and independentmeans for ejecting the coin from said coin-carrier.

In witness whereof, We hereunto subscribe our names this 25th day ofSeptember, 1912.

ALBERT D. GROVER. EARL E. BARBER.

Witnesses:

J OSEPH KATZ, WILLIAM C. DIXON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe commissioner 01' Patents, Washington, .D. G.

